CVE-2025-22946 identifies a critical security vulnerability in the firmware of the Tenda AC9 v1.0 wireless router, specifically version 15.03.05.19. The vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow located in the /goform/SetOnlineDevName HTTP endpoint, which is part of the router's web management interface. This flaw arises due to insufficient bounds checking on input data submitted to this endpoint, allowing an attacker to overwrite the stack memory. Because the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, an attacker can send specially crafted HTTP requests to trigger the overflow. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the router’s firmware process, potentially allowing full control over the device. This includes the ability to intercept, modify, or redirect network traffic, install persistent malware, or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-120 (Classic Buffer Overflow) and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, reflecting its critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. As of the published date, no official patches or firmware updates have been released by Tenda, and no known exploits have been detected in the wild. However, the high severity and ease of exploitation make this a significant threat to users of the affected router model.

The impact of CVE-2025-22946 is severe for organizations and individuals using the Tenda AC9 v1.0 router with the vulnerable firmware. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the router, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication. This can result in interception of sensitive data, manipulation of network traffic, disruption of internet connectivity, and establishment of persistent backdoors. For enterprises, this could mean exposure of internal network resources, data breaches, and lateral movement by attackers. For home users, it could lead to privacy violations and use of the device in botnets or other malicious activities. Given the router’s role as a network gateway, the vulnerability undermines the security of all connected devices. The lack of patches increases the window of exposure, and the critical CVSS score highlights the urgency of addressing this threat. Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability’s characteristics make it a likely target for attackers once exploit code becomes available.

1. Immediately isolate affected Tenda AC9 v1.0 routers from untrusted networks to reduce exposure. 2. Monitor network traffic for unusual activity or unexpected connections originating from the router. 3. Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of a compromised router on critical systems. 4. Use firewall rules to restrict access to the router’s management interface, ideally limiting it to trusted IP addresses or disabling remote management entirely. 5. Regularly check Tenda’s official channels for firmware updates or security advisories addressing this vulnerability and apply patches promptly once available. 6. Consider replacing vulnerable devices with models from vendors with a strong security track record if patches are delayed. 7. Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) capable of detecting exploit attempts targeting this specific endpoint. 8. Educate network administrators about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response and mitigation. 9. Maintain backups of router configurations to facilitate recovery after remediation. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level controls, monitoring, and proactive isolation until a patch is available.